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Sheriff's News

WOODBURY COUNTY JAIL ENTERS A NEW ERA WITH AN INMATE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

After months of training, preparation, and hardwork, the Woodbury County Jail is now classifying inmates once the inmate has spent their initial 24 hour stay in temporary holding and are being moved into long term holding. The jail currently has four teams of correctional officers. Within the four teams are four trained "classification teams." The process takes roughly 30 minutes per inmate. It consists of a screening and questionnaire which covers criminal history, medical, substance abuse and mental health backgrounds, gender issues, dietary issues, religious issues, and prior disciplinary issues the inmate may have had during previous incarcerations.

The process will have a positive two-fold affect on the jail. The first being a better understanding of each inmates needs, which in turn will provide a safer, more secure environment for the inmates and the officers. The second being compliance with the new federal Prison Rape Elimination Act. The federal government has passed new law requiring compliance through this Act and Woodbury County is now ahead of the curve on this.

A sincere, special thanks to the jail administration and staff for all of the time, training and work it took to get this program where it is today. Woodbury County has a professional, hardworking correctional staff this community can be proud of.

Photos of the meeting held prior to the implementation of the the classification system are posted below.

WOODBURY COUNTY C.O.'S RECEIVE ANNUAL TRAINING

On Tuesday, February 24th, members of the Woodbury County Sheriff's Office corrections staff received their annual defensive tactics and use of force refreshers. Later in the day, C.O.'s did practical training in cell extractions. This training ocurrs at the Prairie Hill Annex. Correctional Officers receive a variety of training throughout the year to keep them updated so they remain safe and in compliance with state jail standards. Special thanks to Instructors Officer Sage Lewis, Officer Marie Thomas, and Officer Randy Unl. These officers attend instructor training and recieve state certifcation so this training can be conducted in-house, which greatly reduces the cost of training. Below are a few photos from training.

SERGEANT BLUFF ELEMENTARY 3RD GRADE GETS A K9 DEMONSTRATION

Recently, Sgt. Jim Bauerly with his partner K9 Bosco and Deputy Troy Tadlock with his partner K9 Diesel, did a demonstration for 3rd grade teacher Terri Gotch's class. Woodbury County routinely does demonstrations to help educate the public on the importance of K9's in law enforcement in keeping the public and officers safe. During demonstrations, deputies and their partners explain and show the capabilites of the dogs and what it takes to get to that level of performance and how to maintain it. K9 handlers work with their partners almost every day to assure the intended results while performing and maintain a level of professionalism expected by the public and the law enforcement community.

During demonstrations, handlers also explain that K9's are not always "on the job." All of Woodbury County's K9's reside with their deputy handlers and are members of their family. K9's are a vital part of the Woodbury County law enforcement family and we are grateful for our handlers that take on the extra work and time it takes to help keep us safe.

Below, are a few (not all) of the thank you letters from students in Terri Gotch's 3rd grade class to Sgt. Bauerly and Bosco and Deputy Tadlock and Diesel for coming to their classroom.

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE MID-STEP SERVICES FLOOR CLEANING CREW

Sheriff Drew is pictured with the three young ladies from Mid-Step Services that keep the floors clean in the Administrative Offices of the Sheriff's Office. These hard workers come down to the office every Thursday morning and do a great job of vacuuming and sweeping the floors for us. Thanks again for doing such a super job!

SCPD SENIOR CRIME SCENE ANALYST ZAC CHWIRKA RETIRES AFTER 33 YEARS OF SERVICE

Senior Crime Scene Analyst Zac Chwirka, an icon with the Sioux City Police Department, served for thirty-three years, processing crime scenes, collecting evidence, maintaining a very large property room and providing crucial testimony in multiple high-profile criminal cases in Woodbury County and Federal courtrooms throughout his career. The Sioux City Police Department has a big set of shoes to try and fill. Pictured above is Zac with Sheriff Dave Drew, after presenting Zac with a plaque from the Sheriff's Office at his retirment coffee, showing our appreciation for the positive impact he made in our community. The Woodbury County Sheriff's Office wishes Zac and his family the best in his retirement.

DANBURY CATHOLIC PRESENTS BIKES DONATED BY SIOUX SALES OF SIOUX CITY

About a month ago, Sioux Sales of Sioux City was very generous in donating money for fourteen bikes that were purchased from the local Walmart Store on Singing Hills Blvd. in Sioux City. With the donation and the purchase of the bikes, the Sheriff's Office presented one girls and one boys bike to each of the seven rural school districts in Woodbury County. The decision as to who would receive the bikes at each school was left to the school administrators. Today, December 23rd, the Sheriff's Office received two very nice thank you cards from the two children that received bikes at Danbury Catholic. We have posted the thank you cards below. Again, thank you to everyone that helped make this a better Christmas for these children. God Bless.